Homeschool benefits and savings in Loveland
Loveland Parks and Recreation gives residents with low-income status 50% off 3- and 6-month Chilson Recreation Center passes and most recreation classes. A separate Foundation youth scholarship pays up to $200 per child, or $600 per family, each year for children referred by a school, agency, church, or community group.
Who qualifies
Lives in Loveland 30 days
Every participant must have lived inside Loveland city limits for at least 30 days in a row, at that address only, before applying for low-income rates.
Meets the income guideline
Gross household income must fall within Loveland's guideline, set at 135% of the federal poverty level. The partner agencies hold the income guidelines.
Applies through a partner agency
Apply as a client of House of Neighborly Service, Homeward Alliance, Loveland Housing Authority (clients only), or Project Self Sufficiency (single-parent families, aid to children only).
Gets a referral for scholarships
The Foundation youth scholarship needs a referral from a school representative, social service agency, church, or other community group, for children 0 to 18 who live in Thompson R2-J School District boundaries.
What it is worth
Loveland's Recreation Financial Assistance page sets the low-income rates and the Loveland Parks and Recreation Foundation's scholarship maximums.
- 3-month or 6-month Chilson pass
- 50% off
- Most recreation classes
- 50% off
- Daily fee at Chilson and Winona Outdoor Pool
- Discounted with a Chilson ID
- Foundation scholarship, one child
- Up to $200 a year
- Foundation scholarship, whole family
- Up to $600 a year
Some classes are not discounted, and the Foundation pays for Chilson passes only by special Board approval for families with low-income status, so ask the Chilson front desk before you register.
From applying to requalifying
- Before you apply
Contact a partner agency
The agency pre-qualifies you and mails or faxes the original approval form to Chilson. You keep the yellow copy.
- Within 2-3 days
Get the reduced rate
Chilson approves reduced rates once the original form arrives, after staff verify your residency.
- For a scholarship
Get a referral and form
Foundation scholarship forms are available only at local schools and social service agencies. Once approved, funds are set aside within five business days and you are notified by email.
- Every 6 months
Requalify
Low-income status lasts six months. Foundation scholarships run on a rolling calendar year with one application a year.
What it pays for
Covered
- Most classes in the Activity Guide
- Daily entry at Chilson and Winona Outdoor Pool
Not covered
- Some recreation classes
- Participants living outside city limits
- Chilson passes through the scholarship, without Board approval
Good to know
Homeschool families can get low-income rates
Low-income rates depend on Loveland residency and income through a partner agency, not on school enrollment.
Who to contact
Chilson Recreation Center, 700 E. Fourth Street, answers low-income rate questions by phone and takes Foundation scholarship requests by email or mail.
RecScholarship@CityofLoveland.org 970-962-2383 Recreation financial assistance
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Colorado
Give written notice to a Colorado school district 14 days before starting and each year the program continues. Notice is not required before age 6; instruction need not begin until age 7 or continue after age 16.
Colorado sets these rules:
- Subjects: Provide at least 172 days of instruction averaging four instructional contact hours daily, covering reading, writing, speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, and regular instruction in the U.S. Constitution.
- Testing: Academic evaluation in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11: standardized test or evaluation by a qualified person.
- Records: Permanently keep attendance, test or evaluation results, and required immunization records; produce them on 14 days’ written notice when the superintendent has probable cause to believe the program is noncompliant.
- Teachers: Instruction is provided by a parent or legal guardian, or an adult relative designated by the parent; no teaching license is required.
Read the Colorado homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Colorado
Questions parents ask
- How does a homeschooled child get a Loveland Foundation scholarship referral?
- A social service agency, church, or other community organization that knows your family can refer you, not only a school.
- Should we apply for both programs?
- Yes, if you can. The Foundation recommends that referred families also complete the low-income application so its scholarship dollars reach more families.
- Is there another scholarship for kids?
- Yes. The Larkin Family Memorial Scholarship gives seasonal help with Loveland Parks and Recreation activities to youth 17 and under, with priority for first-time applicants.
- Can we lose the reduced rate?
- Yes. Loveland can cancel or limit it for breaking city or department rules, and a suspension of any family member can put the whole family's rate at risk.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Camps and local activities give your child new interests to explore. Their discoveries can shape the examples and questions they study at home.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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